By NJ Thakuria

Guwahati: A mega cycle rally with the message of cycling for health & environment was organized on Sunday morning in various parts of Assam including the central function held at historic Latasil playground in then heart of the city. About 250 participants took part in the rally that marched through the pre-historic city where as similar cycle rallies were organised at Nagaon, Bongaigaon, Jorhat and Dibrugarh also.

The best way to maintain a good health, beat traffic snarls, prevent accidents and minimize pollution is pedaling a cycle,” said Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi while flagging off the cycle rally at Latasil.

He also added that at a time when the State in particular and the world at large is confronted with natural disasters, pollution and climate change, the best way to arrest the disturbing trend is taking to cycling in a big way. Cycling can help keeping the environment clean by reducing pollution, ensures good health and also prevents accidents, asserted Gogoi.

Cycle was an indispensable part of my life. I used to pedal 8 to 10 miles on my way to school and later to college. I also started my political life on a cycle campaigning from house to house when I contested the municipal elections. I saw my father going out on a cycle treating patients,” fondly remembered the Congress veteran.

Organized by a Guwahati based satellite news channel, the rally attracted a number of young cyclists, both boys and girls, from the city. Many of them, while talking to the media, emphasized on creating a permanent cycle lane adjacent to the streets of Guwahati to encourage the practice of cycling in the day-to-day life of interested citizens.